None taken, goobaletta. Just offering up my thoughts. And actually, a paper in NW Indiana actually might think NO ONE would read their online format outside of their geographical area. Hee!

edited because use of good grammar means use of good manners!

From the NY Daily News:

Apprentice finale

Includes slightly spoilery info about the final tasks. Reveals nature of tasks, not the outcome or who is in the final 2.

If you get a coupon for a free meal and you don't leave a tip, your server isn't getting tipped. They're not going to give the server a tip out of your coupon.

It's easy to forget, and it's easy to get wrong, I agree. So I don't tend to get all offended that they didn't. But I don't agree that it is substantively unfair for a server to think it would be nice for a person who gets complimentary drinks to leave a tip.

And incidentally, when people hold the door open for you, it's rude for them to say "you're welcome" if you don't say "thank you," but it's kind of rude not to politely say "thank you," too. The fact that you didn't make a demand doesn't mean you can't be gracious. These are pleasantries; they cost you nothing. You might not request a gift; you would still perhaps thank the person who gave it to you, no?

Same with gift certificates in a service industry. For example, I am a massage therapist. When someone comes into a spa with a gift certificate, the gift certificate doesn't include a tip. A 15% tip per massage is about 25% of my regular income -- so it really adds up when a client doesn't tip! Of course I understand that it's a gratuity, and I should be grateful for anything extra I receive, but I give the best massage I can to every client, so when my 1:00 tips me $20 and my 2:00 tips me nothing, I feel a little slighted. JMO, of course.

Anyway, I think it was horrible that Jen C. and Raj didn't know better. Maybe they assumed their "people" took care of it?

As I pass by local newstands, I've noticed something interesting. The ones with Sandy and Stacy J on the cover appear to be sold out. In contrast, there are still plenty of issues with Maria and Jenn C on the cover left on the stands. Has anyone else noticed the same trends where they live?

Also, I just noticed the pics are up at www.nbc.com

Let's not forget that Jenn C.'s been down on her luck lately. She lost her job at Douglas Elliman, and she was just recenty looking for an attorney to take her case "pro-bono." So maybe she took those bottles so she could offer them to her attorney! Sorta "pro-bono," but I'll throw in some free champagne!

The book stores I've seen them at seem to have plenty of both, I bought the Maria one, she may have sucked as a business woman, but that woman is freakin hot.

I have! I'm in NYC, and travelled to Boston last weekend, and in both airports I noticed that there were plenty with Maria and Jenn, and none with Sandy and Stacy. Funny, non?

I stopped by my local used book and magazine store earlier this evening to get some cheap paperbacks for my next long flight. They have plenty of used Maxims with Maria and Jen on the cover, but only two or three with Sandy and StacieJ. Hee! Guess regular subscribers didn't want Blinky or Motormouth in their homes ...

happycamper, thanks so much for the radio interview with John! His impersonation of Mark Burnett (Austin Powers as a powermad reality producer) just made my day. Damn, never thought much of his food-nazi ways on the show, but John comes off really well in this interview...appealing, intelligent, funny...(hey John? call me!)

Jenn C and Stacie J, like other reality TV "stars", are poor celebrities. And while I mean "poor" in several ways, the most important one is that they really don't have a lot of cash to throw around to buy expensive evening gowns, tipping generously etc. yet they're invited to all sorts of glitzy events where they can hobnob with other B (and below)-list celebrities. I feel sad for them.

I'm reminded of a discussion I had a long time ago. If you get bad service, do you intentionally leave a small tip (which means you're either stingy or you disliked the service), or do you just not leave a tip at all (which means you either forgot or you disliked the service)? Tipping shouldn't be automatic, imo.

Chris Russo ("The Apprentice 2") joins hosts Josh Souza ("Big Brother 1") and Rich Tackenberg (TheFishbowl Producer) on "Apprentice Talk" - Friday, December 10th, at 1:00 PM (PT) / 4:00 PM (ET) to dish about the boardroom and hearing those horrible words - "Your fired!!"

Actually, if that's so, then it's an attempt to control you. Some people very good at using false politeness as a means of control. Ie, if they open the door, you have to say "thank you". If you don't, you're "rude" Aha! now there's a mark on you because you have to submit to your gift giver in order to retain your mark. Power!

The way you handle people like that is by remembering it's always okay to say no. And if you have to go back through the door and open it yourself, do it, it's better than being a doormat.

Well, I've lived most of my life in LA, and if anyone tried to hold the door open for me, I'd approach it with the same level of cynicism you would Biff42. But now that I attend school in Boston, it's almost expected of people to hold the door open to anyone. People do it all the time. In this case, it would be rude not to say thank you, because the motivation for leaving the door open is common courtesy, not the desire to control someone.

I cannot believe you would really assume that someone who holds a door open for you does so in order to subordinate you as a human being, but . . . okay. I'm not saying they do it to force you to thank them; they do it because nobody likes to have a door closed in their face. That doesn't mean thanking people for small acts of politeness like that shows weakness. Why on earth would thanking another person make you a doormat?

My point is that there is a difference between what you HAVE to do, and what's POLITE to do. You never have to leave a tip if you don't want to, but if you don't, you're depriving the server of part of his or her income. If you intentionally refuse to express gratitude to people who do nice things for you, that's rude. To me, the story of the Apprenti not leaving a tip doesn't necessarily reflect horribly on them, because tipping on free stuff is a tricky area at times. But on the other hand, that doesn't mean that a server who thinks it sucks that she wasn't tipped is a venal, awful person.

It's all about The Donald today.

Trumpy's one of Baba Wawa's (© Gilda Radner) Most Fascinating People for 2004. Check your local listings for time. It's on ABC.

Donald gets crowd Trumped up. Chicago Sun-Times.

FREE RING CIRCUS. NY Post. CLICK HERE for related pic.

When it comes to Celebrity Weasels, The Donald really Trumps them all. Boston Herald. Heh.

And now for something totally off topic: Woohoo! The Muppets are getting a postage stamp! Yay! *starts singing the theme to The Muppet Show* Ahem. Please return to your regularly scheduled TA obsession.

But then again, so is Paris Hilton. Remember when "fascinating" meant something more than having loads of cash and a heinous combover? Or starring in homemade porn?

At least we can be grateful that thus far The Hair hasn't appeared in any homegrown porn. *goes in search of brain bleach*

Remember when Baba Wawa wouldn't ask questions like "If you were a tree, what tree would you be?" Ya, me neither.

And Trump is unveiling a cologne? I smell a Season 3 task.

I was in Macy's last night and I saw the Trump cologne for men. I thought the same thing, I'm surprised we haven't seen something like this on the show such as a "cologne task." Boy, Trumpy's into everything.

As for the JennC/Stacie J tipping thing, I don't understand why Stacie J would have to do such a thing. So what she got a free coupon. How is a tip going to kill her? She's a successful model and I'm sure (1) she gets free stuff from her modeling assignments and contacts, including (I would think) clothes and (2) I would expect she would have enough money to leave a tip. Not to mention her franchise business. Not to mention her speaking engagements she's had lately. That also goes to that other article where she bought $1,000 in clothes, wore them and then returned them. Why would she have to do that? In her particular case, I don't think she's lacking the funds. JennC, being fired and all, is another story.

Dec 04, 2004; Los Angeles, CA, USA; 'Apprentice' contestant Pamela Day
at the 2004 Red Party, benefiting the 'Life Through Art Foundation.'

Pam2

More Pamela including pictures with Omarosa

Instead of selling ice cream or candy bars on the street, they'll be working as "spray ladies" at the Paramus Mall, assaulting passers-by with Trump: The Cologne. The team that generates the most sales (and the fewest asthma attacks) will win a yoooge reward -- a case of Trump: The Cologne.

I would say if you're not going to leave a tip due to poor service, you should let the server or the manager know on the way out. A simple I wasn't satisfied with the service because ____ would suffice. But this has nothing to do with media, so I'll shut up now.

Lookie, lookie!

'Apprentice' Contender Kelly Not Popular

That's something I've never heard before, I always make sure to hold the door open for someone, it's just common courtesy. It's nice if somebody thanks me for it, most people do, I always do when someone is nice enough to do that for me. If they don't thank me, no big whoop, maybe they have important matters on their mind, I never considered that they might think I'm trying to control them, that's just bizarre, maybe there are different mindsets in other parts of the country. As far as tipping, I tip when I get good service, but I don't think of it as required, it's something extra you get when someone is pleased enough with your performance to show it.

That's really interesting...Ivana and Andy's comments are no surprise. Even Raj's aren't (although what does "humanless" mean? Cold? Empty inside?), because we know Kelly has smacked him down on a couple of occasions, although with good reason. Wes' comments weren't really negative, so no shock there, he just made a factual statement about editing. But Chris...that surprised me. We never got any indication that Kelly and Chris didn't get along. Chris relied on Kelly for pricing in the QVC task and seemed to like him...maybe leftover anger over Kelly beating Chris in the bridal task? Seems odd that we never saw Kelly having any problems with anyone but Andy, and all of these people coming out with negative things to say about him.

I always tip when I use a coupon in anything that could be considered the service industry. The coupon only covers the cost of the drink/meal/etc, but the tip for the service isn't included.


That article was silly. Honestly, none of the candidates this season have been "popular". That's part of the problem. Everyone is just so damn unlikeable. They could easily replace Kelly with Jen M and interview Elizabeth, Kevin, Ivana, Maria and Chris (who has stated in other articles that he hates all four of the remaining contestants). I'm not surprised about Raj though, he seems to have a stick up his ass about everyone. Though, usually he's just dissing the female contestants. The funny thing is, I've listened to several interviews with the ex-apprentii and the most "popular" amongst themselves seem to be Bradford, Rob, Pam and Jen C.

I can't wait for Martha Stewart to get out of jail and replace Trump! I'm sick of The Hair and his schtick is becoming boring.

I find the one with Kato Keilin to be particularly damning . . .

Although I'd love to see Paris Hilton with a heinous combover.Yeah...of Kato...

QUOTE/Some people very good at using false politeness as a means of control. ....now there's a mark on you because you have to submit to your gift giver in order to retain your mark.\QUOTE


I agree with this to an extent, but not in terms of simple acts like opening doors for others. In our office it was agreed that we wouldn't celebrate everyone's birthday, give each other Christmas gifts, etc., because we're all so busy at work and our personal lives, we try to simplify our "to do" lists as much as possible. But there's one woman who continues to give birthday cards with an inexpensive gift, as well as Christmas gifts. She claims she just likes to do it, although her life is just as hectic as the rest of us. So when she continues to do something that everyone else agreed not to do, I think that's a form of control, a game of one-upmanship, claiming the moral high ground. If her intent was to pressure others into feeling guilty and reciprocating with a birthday/Christmas gift, it didn't work. In this case, I think the rude behavior is on her part for ignoring her coworkers' preference, and I don't feel obligated to express gratitude.

But as far as JennC, Raj, and StacieJ not tipping, as reported in the NYPost article, yeah that's just cheap.

You need to relate your comments back to the article, please, and to the incident involving the Apprenti. A general discussion of kindnesses without a tie-in to the article about poor tipping is off-topic.

My guess is that Raj actually said "humorless", and the reporter, or more likely the copy editor, misquoted him.

I was just coming in to type the exact same thing, clack. It's the only way that would make any sense. Raj has too good a sense of language to have made that sort of verbal error.

ETA: Almost forgot to mention - Boyfriend Bill was on Oprah today. The topic was a new book called He's Just Not That Into You : The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys. Anyhow, Bill did a bit where he discussed that no matter how busy he is, if he's really into a woman he'll put TD on hold to take her call. It was cute. If you can catch a rerun, I recommend it.

Ohhh, okay...That makes sense. Humanless seemed like an odd thing to say, especially since we never saw Kelly described as plastic or a mannequin, and he seemed to relate well to people. And also, you know...humanless isn't really a real thing...Humorless makes much more sense.

And I also thought it was funny that the other way Raj chose to insult Kelly was be saying he lacked chutzpah. Isn't it usually used as a bad thing? And who wouldn't lack chutzpah standing next to Raj?

The Yiddish word "Chutzpah" can be used in both negative and positive ways. The negative sense would be someone with the audacity or the nerve to have done something or said something. The positive would just be an assertive person.

Thanks for the explanation! I've only ever heard it used in the negative way, so I was a little confused at first. I'm Jewish too, and my grandma uses tons of Yiddish...I feel so ashamed for not knowing that. Good thing my grandma doesn't read these boards...

Assuming Raj meant that Kelly lacked chutzpah in the positive sense...we totally never saw that. Kelly always seemed pretty damn assertive to me. Sometimes a little too assertive.

ITA, Kelly always seemed assertive when he felt it was necessary for his own interests, like taking charge or wanting to be PM. If he didn't step up, he probably had a strategic reason. I think Kelly was more calculating than some have given him credit for, likely a result of law school combined with army intelligence training. The fact he's still in the game is probably proof of that ;-)

Chutzpah as in saucy or cheeky. Kelly is pretty stolid.

10 weirdest moments of ‘The Apprentice’ MSNBC. By our Gael and her Reality TV cohort, Andy. Relevant POLL.

NBC accepting applications for 'The Apprentice 4'. Reality TV World. Very irritating ads at this site. Bleah. The PDF application is at the main NBC TA2 site.

Ivana makes the sale, but gets the ax. AZ Republic.

Pricing Policy: Seven Factors to Consider. ClickZ.
***New as of 3 a.m. CST***

Ivana's TVGO Insider interview. You must read all the way to the very last question. Really. You know I don't lie to you about these things.

Cindy Adams features Sam in today's column. NY Post. TAR folks mentioned too. Sam PHOTO.

TD makes Page Six. NY Post.

Ivana dish. Boston Herald. Heh.

Andy dish. The Tennessean. Scroll down about halfway to the headline: 'Apprentice' Andy signs deal here in town. Bit of Raj dish too.

Sam's quoted at the end of this article about Martha Stewart's deal w/MB. Newsday.

Thanks for the links, goobaletta. Definitely worth reading to the end on Ivana's TVGO interview!

In the TV Guide interview...Was I just imagining this from lack of coffee, or did Ivana say that she was wearing a bathing suit and then say she was wearing shorts in the same interview? She can't even keep a consistent story for one interview...amazing.

Heh...and she accused Jen of trying to back away from responsibility every time the team lost. Because, of course, Ivana is above that.

I'm still on my first cup of coffee today too, but yeah, that's what she said. Just as she chose Kelly, um Kevin, um Kelly in the same boardroom.

My favorite part was justifying that she was actually more successful than Jen and Sandy because she sold "my candybars for $20, not just $5". Plural? And Ivana, remember Carolyn "you weren't selling candy bars".

Never mind.

Thanks again goobaletta for supplying these links. I particularly enjoyed Gael's commentary-and you're right the Ivana interview is worth it for the last question. ITA with Sam that Martha Stewart's being a controversial figure actually works in her favor where Burnett is concerned-and she could only be a change for the better after this season.

I think the best way to define Chutzpah is "balls". "That took balls!" or "He had some balls to say that", etc. It can be said admiringly or disparagingly.

And I don't think Raj really got the meaning. Even if he meant "humorless" instead of "humanless", I don't see "he didn't have chutzpah" as being all that logical a follow on.

From the Tennesseean article...


Hee. Raj is totally this generation's Hef.

Nice to have confirmation about the "date" with Robin, even if it was only coffee. You never know what rumors to believe, especially with someone as unbelievable as Raj. ;)

No way I'm first. I must have missed something. I did, right, goobaletta?

I read an article yesterday that basically ixnays Martha Stewart replacing Trump. She's not going to be on The Apprentice. She's going to have a Burnett-inspired version of her daily show. Interesting. And boy, am I relieved.

From Adams' Post article:
I have to assume the speaker meant "rogue," because Raj is not a sauce base made from flour and butter. I'm not at all surprised to hear that he may be doing bow-tie endorsements, though.

Definitely NOT The Apprentice: Stewart will return with how-to show (It's also all over the AP.)

The Apprentice wouldn't be the same without The Donald, and I think they would lose a huge portion of their audience. And FWIW, if Martha had replaced DT, I would stop watching.